A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

encouragement which have made the completion of the assignment possible. Brother Klassen, with his special training in Anabaptist historiography and his wide teaching experience in this field, has not only served as a competent consultant through all stages of preparing the manuscript, but in his capacity as editorial assistant has also rendered invaluable services in the revision of the text. Both in content and in form the book has profited from his insights and scholarship. He has also assumed the responsibility for such items as the glossary, illustrations, bibliography, appendixes, and index. To Mrs. Betty Klassen I am grateful for her painstaking effort in typing the manuscript in its several stages of preparation. A special word of thanks and recognition is extended to Paul W. Wohlgemuth who prepared the chapter on music in the M.B. Church with assistance from Herbert C. Richert and Mrs. Esther Horch. A "Committee of Readers," appointed by the Executive of the BCL, has read the entire manuscript and offered many helpful suggestions. The following brethren served on this committee: Harold Jantz and Abram Dueck. Winnipeg: A. E. Janzen, Orlando Harms, Clarence Hiebert and Wesley Prieb, Hillsboro; and Peter Klassen and Delbert Wiens, Fresno. C. F. Plett, former chairman of the KMB Conference, has read the chapter on the Krimmer Mennonite Brethren. The librarian of Pacific College, Adonijah Pauls, deserves recognition for his constant readiness to assist in locating documents, pamphlets and books in the Archives. The librarians of Tabor College and of the Mennonite Brethren Bible PREFACE xiii College have also been most helpful during my brief stay in these schools. The contribution of my wife Nettie is hard to assess properly. She not only made personal sacrifices, but also read the entire manuscript. Her intuitive judgments were most helpful in dealing with contemporary issues and personalities. Above all I am grateful to God who in His gracious providence gave the necessary strength to complete the task. Summer, 1973 J. A. Toews Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations Afrika Missionsverein — Africa Mission Society AMVL — Allrussischer Mennonitischer Landwirtschaftlicher Verein (All- Russian Mennonite Agricultural Union) AUianz Gemeinde, Allianz Bewegung — Alliance Church, Alliance movement ASW — Alternative Service Work AMR — American Mennonite Relief ARA — American Relief Administration Armenschule — School for the poor BCL — Board of Christian Literature Bibelbesprechung — Bible conference Bibelstunden — Bible study hours BOMAS — Mennonite Brethren Board of Missions and Services Brotbrecher — Breadbreakers Bruedergemeinde — literally "Brethren Congregation," a term commonly used to identify the Mennonite Brethren Bruderschule — Brotherhood School Bundeskonferenz — General Conference CIM — Congo Inland Mission COMBS — Council of Mission Board Secretaries, a consultat